After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

The provincial propaganda department's eight-word directive, "Strictly prohibit any dissenting voices," effectively blocked all avenues for Zhao Bo to voice his opinions.

A defeat in public opinion can come faster and be more devastating than a real-world blow.

This indicates that the authorities have approved Chen Pingfang's actions. Zhao Bo can no longer find any grounds to attack Chen Pingfang on procedural issues.

He was completely trapped in Nanzhou.

……

3 PM, High-tech Zone Management Committee Building.

Overnight and into the morning, the news spread throughout the High-tech Zone. The atmosphere in the management committee building changed. In the corridors, everyone's footsteps were much softer, heads down, their eyes filled with fear and excitement.

No sooner had Wang Zhigang and his associates been taken away than the newly appointed Li Weimin, Qian Bin, and Sun Li immediately began sweeping internal reorganizations in their respective departments.

In his office, Chen Ping had just finished listening to the three men's initial reports when the phone rang.

It was Zhang Chao who called from the inside.

"Director, Mr. Qian Zhendong, the president of the Nanzhou Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Zhendong Group, wants to see you. He says he's here to discuss an investment intention of 5 billion yuan."

Chen Ping leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Qian Zhendong.

This name is very well-known in Nanzhou. He started from scratch, is very good at business, is a representative of private entrepreneurs in Nanzhou, and is also a famous peacemaker with extensive connections in both the political and business circles.

"Let him come up," Chen Ping said calmly.

He knew that Zhao Bo was about to play his last card.

Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the office door.

Zhang Chao led a man in his sixties into the room. The man was wearing a well-fitting Chinese-style top, his hair was a little gray, but he was in good spirits and had a gentle smile on his face, which made people feel comfortable.

He is Qian Zhendong.

"Director Chen, you are young and promising. Seeing is believing." As soon as Qian Zhendong entered the room, he took the initiative to extend his hands and warmly shook hands with Chen Pingfang.

His palms were broad and warm, carrying a sense of composure that came from long holding a high position.

"President Qian, you're too kind. Please have a seat." Chen Ping relaxed his hand and gestured to the sofa opposite him.

Zhang Chao brewed the tea, then quietly slipped out and closed the door behind him.

Only the two of them remained in the office.

Qian Zhendong didn't get to the point right away. He first looked around and remarked with a smile, "The last time I was here was when Hu Jinshan was in charge. Back then, the High-tech Zone was lifeless. Today, the entire building seems to have a completely different spirit. Director Chen, your methods are impressive. I admire you, I truly admire you."

His words were a perfect blend of his past relationship and praise for Chen Pingfang's current achievements.

Chen Ping picked up his teacup, blew on it to cool it down, and didn't reply.

He waited quietly for the other person to continue.

Seeing that Chen Pingfang remained unmoved, Qian Zhendong's smile deepened. He knew that dealing with this kind of person was pointless; beating around the bush was useless.

"Director Chen is a smart man, and he speaks his mind, so I won't beat around the bush either." Qian Zhendong leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, "I'm here today on someone's behalf."

He paused for a moment, observing Chen Pingfang's expression.

Chen Pingfang's face remained calm and expressionless; he merely glanced at him.

"That young man from the Zhao family, Zhao Bo," Qian Zhendong sighed, his tone carrying a hint of elder's regret, "Young man, impulsive and arrogant, offended Director Chen. He now knows he was wrong and is afraid."

"So?" Chen Pingfang finally spoke, his voice flat.

"So, I would like to ask Director Chen to be lenient and give me a way out." Qian Zhendong took out a beautifully packaged letter of intent from his briefcase, gently placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it in front of Chen Pingfang.

"Zhendong Group, together with several local enterprises in Nanzhou, is preparing to invest in a new energy battery materials project in the High-tech Zone, with a total investment of 5 billion yuan."

Qian Zhendong tapped his finger on the words "fifty billion" with a sincere tone.

"This investment will be registered under your name, Director Chen, without going through any connections. A five billion yuan achievement is enough to add a very bright spot to your resume in Nanzhou. Next year, no, perhaps by the end of this year, a position on the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee should be reserved for you."

The office fell silent.

This offer is too tempting.

A substantial investment of 5 billion yuan is enough to ensure a smooth career path for any local official.

Qian Zhendong leaned back on the sofa and calmly picked up his teacup. He believed that no one could refuse such kindness.

Chen Ping did not look at the letter of intent for investment.

His gaze calmly fell on Qian Zhendong's face, and he slowly asked, "What are the conditions?"

"That's great!" Qian Zhendong clapped his hands and laughed. "That kid Zhao Bo just wanted to land safely. Let those things under Factory No. 3 in the Corefire Industrial Park rot underground forever. And let's call it even. Let's wipe the slate clean and pretend nothing ever happened."

He paused, his tone becoming even more meaningful.

"Director Chen, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Minister Zhao Yongnian is only temporarily cooperating with the organization's talks; some things are not yet settled. You are still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. It's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy."

As he finished speaking, a subtle sense of superiority flickered in Qian Zhendong's eyes.

Chen Ping smiled.

He picked up the phone on the table, pressed the record button in front of Qian Zhendong, and then placed the phone screen-up in the center of the coffee table.

Qian Zhendong's smile froze.

"President Qian," Chen Ping leaned forward, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at the other man, "I'll ask you one more time, you just said Zhao Bo sent you?"

Qian Zhendong's pupils contracted sharply, and a fine layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

He didn't expect Chen Pingfang to respond in such an almost table-flipping manner.

This violates all the rules of officialdom!

"What...what do you mean by this?" Qian Zhendong's voice was a little dry.

"It doesn't mean anything." Chen Pingfang's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried weight. "I just want you to know that every word you say today will become evidence."

He picked up the letter of intent for the 5 billion yuan investment, weighed it in his hand, and then casually tossed it back in front of Qian Zhendong.

"Go back and tell Zhao Bo that he is not qualified to use money to buy the sky of Nanzhou or the law of the country."

Chen Ping stood up, looking down at Qian Zhendong, whose face was pale, with icy eyes.

"As for this five billion, listen carefully."

"If 5 billion is dirty money, stained with the blood of 10 billion yuan of state-owned assets in the Chipfire Industrial Park, our High-tech Zone will not want a single penny, because it is disgusting."

Chen Ping paused, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"If 5 billion is good money and you want to invest, that's fine. Please follow the regulations of the High-tech Zone and go through the formal investment promotion process."